JP2003084625A - Processing means, process cartridge and electrophotographic image forming device using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a toner left after transfer from dropping to a device main body from the photoreceptor drum of a process cartridge provided with a means for uniformizing the toner left after transfer and a means for controlling toner electrification amount, and to realize reduction of the cost of a part. SOLUTION: A sheet 25 attached to a processing means (brush type member) 3g acting on the photoreceptor drum 2 and moving back and forth in a longitudinal direction abuts on the drum 2. Even when the toner left after transfer on the peripheral surface of the drum 2 advancing into the means 3g is accumulated on the drum 2 at a part where it advances into the means 3g and drops, it is received by the sheet 25 but does not drop to the device main body (transfer belt).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a process cartridge detachable from the main body of an electrophotographic image forming apparatus such as an electrophotographic copying machine or an electrophotographic printer, a process means such as a charging device, and an electrophotographic image using these. Forming apparatus

Here, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus forms an image on a recording medium by using an electrophotographic image forming process.

Examples include electrophotographic copying machines, electrophotographic printers (LED printers, laser beam printers, etc.), electrophotographic facsimile machines, and electrophotographic word processors.

Here, a process cartridge is a cartridge in which at least one of a charging means, a developing means and a cleaning means and an electrophotographic photosensitive member which is an image bearing member are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge is attached to the image forming apparatus main body. It is removable.

The charging device has means for uniformly charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a predetermined polarity and potential.

[0006]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a process in which an electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as a photosensitive drum), a charging unit, a developing unit, a cleaning unit and the like are integrally formed into a cartridge, and the cartridge can be attached to and detached from an image forming apparatus main body. The cartridge system is adopted.

By this cartridge system, the operability is further improved, and the maintenance of the process means can be easily carried out by the user himself. Therefore, this cartridge system is widely used in the image forming apparatus main body.

Further, there has been realized a cartridge structure in which the process means is divided into one having a long life and one having a short life, each process means is made into a cartridge, and can be used in accordance with the life of the main process means. For example, a developing cartridge in which a toner accommodating portion and a developing unit are integrally configured, or a drum cartridge in which a photosensitive drum, a charging unit, and a cleaning unit are integrally configured is adopted.

Further, in recent years, an image forming process including a step of uniformly charging the photosensitive drum to a predetermined polarity and potential is applied to form a developer image corresponding to image information, and the developer image is formed. A cleaning device is used to transfer the image to the transfer material, output the image-formed product, and remove and collect the developer remaining on the photosensitive drum after the transfer process from the photosensitive drum by cleaning simultaneously with the developing means and reuse it. We have proposed the abolished cleanerless method and are trying to provide a downsized image forming apparatus body.

For example, with respect to the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum, the transfer residual developer remaining on the photosensitive drum after the transfer process (hereinafter referred to as transfer residual toner) is located downstream of the transfer unit and upstream of the charging unit. A developer charge amount control unit (hereinafter, referred to as toner charge amount control unit) for adjusting the charge polarity of the toner to the regular charge polarity is provided to prevent transfer residual toner adhesion stains on the contact charging member and prevent fogging due to poor charging or the like. A cleanerless image forming apparatus and a process cartridge that prevent the generation of an image have been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-1373).
368 publication).

Although the toner charge amount control means uses a fixed brush-like member having an appropriate conductivity, a fixed brush member as the toner charge amount control means is provided at the same position on the photosensitive drum. If the toner charge amount control means has uneven resistance if it is continuously positioned, excessive charging or insufficient charging always occurs at the same portion on the photosensitive drum, and at the overcharged portion, the above-mentioned minimal transfer residual toner is generated. However, there is a possibility that the contact charging member may be contaminated by toner adhesion because the transfer residual toner cannot be sufficiently charged in the insufficiently charged portion.

Therefore, the toner charge amount control means is reciprocated in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum so that the brush member does not continue to be positioned at the same position. Overcharge and fusion of transfer residual toner and toner charge amount control The toner adhesion contamination of the means is prevented.

[0013]

However, for example, when the image forming apparatus is urgently stopped due to a paper jam at the time of image formation and restarted after the paper jam treatment, the toner image on the photosensitive drum is not transferred and a large amount is transferred. It is conceivable that the transfer residual toner (non-transferred toner) of (1) enters the brush member. When not in such a normal operation mode, a large amount of toner may not pass through the brush member and may be accumulated, and may fall into the main body of the image forming apparatus.

In view of this, the present invention is a cleaner-less process cartridge provided with a developer charge amount control means which acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive drum and reciprocates in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum, and an electrophotographic image. In the forming device, the transfer residual toner remaining on the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive drum as described above is accumulated at the portion of the developer charge amount control means that reciprocates, falls into the main body of the image forming device, and is contaminated with toner. It is an object of the present invention to provide a process cartridge and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus that prevent the occurrence of defective images and have no defective images.

[0015]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a cartridge and an image forming apparatus characterized by the following constitutions, which are shown below with reference numerals corresponding to the claims.

(1) In the process means that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and is movably supported in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, on the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the vicinity of the position where the process means acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A flexible member that collects residual developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member from falling off is fixedly supported at one end side to the lower part of the process means and moves in the longitudinal direction integrally with the process means. And means of the process.

(2) The process means according to (1), wherein the flexible member is longer than the range of the process means in the longitudinal direction so that the falling developer can be collected.

(3) One end of the flexible member is in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, is a sheet member of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or urethane, and has a thickness of 0.025 to 0.3 mm. (1)
Process means described in.

(4) The process means are formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member upstream of the charging means for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member and in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A developer charge amount control unit that is located on the downstream side of the transfer unit that transfers the developer image to the transfer material and that charges the residual developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after the transfer process to a predetermined polarity. On the upstream side in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member with respect to the charging means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and on the downstream side with respect to the transfer means for transferring the developer image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member onto the transfer material. At least one of the residual developer image uniformizing means for uniformizing the residual developer image remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after the transfer process, described in (1). Process means.

(5) In a process cartridge which can be attached to and detached from the main body of the image forming apparatus, an electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process means which acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and is movably supported in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a process. A flexible member which is located below the means and near the working position of the process means on the electrophotographic photosensitive member, for collecting the residual developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member from dropping from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A process cartridge having a flexible member, one end side of which is fixedly supported with respect to the process means and which moves in the longitudinal direction integrally with the process means.

(6) The process cartridge according to (5), characterized in that the flexible member is longer than the range of the process means in the longitudinal direction so as to be able to collect the remaining residual developer.

(7) One end of the flexible member is in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and polyethylene terephthalate (P
ET) or urethane sheet-like member with a thickness of 0.
The process cartridge according to (5), which has a size of 025 to 0.3 mm.

(8) The process means is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and upstream of the charging means for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A developer charge amount control unit that is located on the downstream side of the transfer unit that transfers the developer image to the transfer material and that charges the residual developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after the transfer process to a predetermined polarity. Positioned upstream of the charging means acting on the electrophotographic photoreceptor in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photoreceptor and downstream of the transfer means for transferring the developer image formed on the electrophotographic photoreceptor onto the transfer material. The residual developer image uniformizing means for uniformizing the residual developer image remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after the transfer step is at least any one of (5). Process cartridge.

(9) In an electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is attachable / detachable and an image is formed on a recording medium, a. An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process means that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and is supported so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a position where the process means is located below the process means and acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A flexible member for collecting residual developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member from falling from the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the vicinity thereof, and one end side of the flexible member is fixed to the process means. Mounting means for detachably mounting the process means and the longitudinally moving process cartridge supported, b. Drive means for driving the process cartridge; c. A transfer means for transferring the developer image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a recording medium; d. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus comprising: a conveying unit configured to convey the recording medium.

[0025]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A color electrophotographic image forming apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the longitudinal direction is a direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction of the recording medium 52 and is the same as the axial direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member (hereinafter referred to as the photosensitive drum 2). The left and right means the recording medium 5
Left and right when viewed from the transport direction of 2. Furthermore, "upper" and "lower" mean "upper" and "lower" when the process cartridge is mounted.

[General Description of Image Forming Apparatus] First, the general structure of the color electrophotographic image forming apparatus will be schematically described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of the overall structure of a color laser beam printer which is one form of a color electrophotographic image forming apparatus.

The image forming portion of this color laser beam printer includes four process cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K (yellow color, magenta color, cyan color, black color) having a photosensitive drum 2 which is an image carrier. , Above the process cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K, exposing means 51Y, 51M, 51C corresponding to the respective colors,
51K (laser beam optical scanning system) are arranged in parallel.

Below the image forming section, a recording medium 52 is provided.
For feeding the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 54a is transferred to the recording medium 52.
The next transfer roller 54d is arranged.

Further, the recording medium 5 on which the toner image is transferred
The fixing means for fixing the second recording medium 2 and the discharging means for discharging and stacking the recording medium 52 outside the apparatus are arranged.

Here, the recording medium 52 is, for example, paper, OHP sheet, cloth, or the like.

The image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment is a cleanerless system apparatus, in which the transfer residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum 2 is taken into the developing means, and a dedicated cleaner for collecting and storing the transfer residual toner is a process. Not placed in the cartridge.

Next, the configuration of each part of the image forming apparatus will be sequentially described in detail.

[Paper Feeding Unit] The paper feeding unit feeds the recording medium 52 to the image forming unit, and includes a feeding cassette 53a in which a plurality of recording media 52 are stacked and stored, and a feeding roller 53.
b, retard roller 53c for preventing double feeding, feeding guide 53
d, the registration roller 53g.

The feeding roller 53b is driven and rotated in accordance with the image forming operation to separate and feed the recording media 52 in the feeding cassette 53a one by one. The recording medium 52 is a feeding guide 53.
It is guided by d and is conveyed to the registration roller 53g via the conveyance rollers 53e and 53f.

Immediately after the recording medium 52 is conveyed, the registration roller 53g stops rotating, and the skew of the recording medium 52 is corrected by hitting the nip portion.

Registration roller 53g during image forming operation
Performs a non-rotational operation in which the recording medium 52 stands by in a stationary state and a rotational operation in which the recording medium 52 is conveyed toward the intermediate transfer belt 54a in a predetermined sequence. Positioning with the recording medium 52 is performed.

[Process Cartridge] The process cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K are integrally formed by arranging charging means and developing means around the photosensitive drum 2 which is an image carrier. The process cartridge can be easily removed by the user from the apparatus main body, and is replaced when the photosensitive drum 2 reaches the end of its life.

In the present embodiment, for example, the number of rotations of the photosensitive drum 2 is counted, and when the number of counts exceeds a predetermined number, the fact that the process cartridge has reached the end of its life is notified.

The photosensitive drum 2 of the present embodiment is a negatively charged organic photosensitive member, and has a photosensitive member layer which is normally used on a drum base made of aluminum having a diameter of about 30 mm, and the charge injection layer is the outermost layer. Is provided. Then, it is rotationally driven at a predetermined process speed, in this embodiment, about 117 mm / sec.

The charge injection layer is, as the conductive fine particles in a binder of insulating resin, for example, using a coating layer of a material obtained by dispersing S _n O ₂ ultrafine particles.

As shown in FIG. 4, a drum flange 2b is fixed to the rear end of the photosensitive drum 2, and a non-driving flange 2d is fixed to the front end. Drum flange 2
The drum shaft 2a passes through the centers of b and the non-driving flange 2d, and the drum shaft 2a, the drum flange 2b, and the non-driving flange 2d are integrally rotated. That is,
The photosensitive drum 2 is rotated about the axis of the drum shaft 2a.

The front end of the drum shaft 2a is rotatably supported by a bearing 2e, which is fixed to the bearing case 2c. The bearing case 2c is fixed to the frame of the process cartridge.

[Charging means] The charging means uses a contact charging method. In this embodiment, the charging roller 3a is used as the charging member.

As shown in FIG. 2, the charging roller 3a rotatably holds both ends of a core metal 3b by bearing members (not shown), and urges the charging roller 3a toward the photosensitive drum by a pressing spring 3d. The surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is pressed against the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 with a predetermined pressing force, and is rotated by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 2.

3c is a charging roller cleaning member, which is a flexible cleaning film in this embodiment. The cleaning film 3e is arranged in parallel to the longitudinal direction of the charging roller 3a, and has one end fixed to a support member 3f that reciprocates a certain amount in the longitudinal direction. Arranged to form a contact nip. The supporting member 3f is reciprocally driven in the longitudinal direction by a certain amount by a driving unit (not shown), and the surface of the charging roller is rubbed with the cleaning film 3e. As a result, the deposits (fine toner, external additives, etc.) on the surface of the charging roller are removed.

The image forming apparatus of this embodiment employs a cleanerless system. The cleanerless system will be described.

[Cleanerless System] First, the outline of the cleanerless system in the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment will be described. The transfer residual toner on the photosensitive drum 2 after transfer is charged by the charging unit as the photosensitive drum 2 continues to rotate. a,
It passes through the exposure section b, is carried to the development section c, and is simultaneously cleaned (recovered) by the development device 4 for development.

Since the transfer residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 passes through the exposure part b, the exposure process is performed on the transfer residual toner. However, since the amount of transfer residual toner is small, a great influence does not appear.

However, the transfer residual toner includes a normal polarity toner, a reverse polarity toner (reversal toner), and a toner having a small charge amount, and the reverse toner and the toner having a low charge amount are included in the charging portion a. When the charging roller 3a adheres to the charging roller 3a when passing, the charging roller 3a undesirably contaminates the toner and causes charging failure.

Further, in order to effectively carry out simultaneous cleaning of the transfer residual toner on the surface of the photosensitive drum by the developing device 4, the charge polarity of the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive drum carried to the developing section c is negative. It is necessary that the charging amount is such that the electrostatic latent image on the photosensitive drum 2 can be developed by the developing device 4. The reversal toner and the toner having an inappropriate charge amount cannot be removed / collected from the photosensitive drum 2 to the developing device 4, which causes a defective image.

With the diversification of user needs in recent years, a large amount of transfer residual toner is generated at one time due to continuous printing operation of images with a high printing rate such as photographic images, which further promotes the above problems. I will let you.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the transfer portion d
A transfer residual toner (residual developer image) uniforming means 3g for uniformizing the transfer residual toner of the photosensitive drum 2 is provided at a position on the downstream side in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and this transfer is performed. At the position downstream of the residual toner uniformizing means 3g in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2 and upstream of the charging portion a in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2, the charge polarity of the transfer residual toner is regulated. Toner (developer) charge control means 3h is provided for adjusting the polarity to the negative polarity.

By providing the transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g, the transfer residual toner on the pattern on the photosensitive drum which is carried from the transfer portion d to the toner charging control means 3h has a large amount of toner, but the toner is not exposed. Since the toner is not distributed on the drum surface and is not patterned, the toner is not concentrated on a part of the toner charging control means 3h, and the transfer residual toner is charged to the normal polarity as a whole by the toner charging control means 3h. The processing is always sufficiently performed to effectively prevent the transfer residual toner from adhering to the charging roller 3a. Further, generation of a ghost image of the transfer residual toner image pattern is also prevented.

In the present embodiment, the transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g and the toner charging control means 3h are brush-like members having appropriate conductivity, and the brush portions are arranged in contact with the surface of the photosensitive drum. There is.

Further, these means move (reciprocate) in the longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 2 by a driving source (not shown). By doing so, the transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g and the toner charging control means 3h do not continue to be positioned at the same position on the photosensitive drum, and, for example, an overcharged portion or charging due to uneven resistance of the toner charging control means 3h occurs. Even if there is a shortage portion, it does not always occur on the same photosensitive drum surface portion, and therefore, a small amount of transfer residual toner overcharge causes fusion on the photosensitive drum, and insufficient charging results in charging roller 3a. The transfer residual toner is prevented or alleviated from adhering.

[Exposure Means] In the present embodiment, the exposure on the photosensitive drum 2 is performed by using a laser exposure means. That is, when an image signal is sent from the apparatus main body 100, the laser light L modulated corresponding to this signal is scanned and exposed on the uniformly charged surface of the photosensitive drum 2. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is selectively formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

The laser exposure means is a solid-state laser element (not shown), a polygon mirror 51a, an imaging lens 51.
b, a reflection mirror 51c and the like. Based on the input image signal, the light emission signal generator (not shown) controls ON / OFF light emission of the solid-state laser element at a predetermined timing. The laser light L emitted from the solid-state laser element is converted into a substantially parallel light flux by a collimator lens system (not shown) and scanned by the polygon mirror 51a which rotates at high speed. Then, an image is formed in a spot shape on the photosensitive drum 2 via the imaging lens 51b and the reflection mirror 51c.

Thus, the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is exposed in the main scanning direction by laser beam scanning and further in the sub-scanning direction by the rotation of the photosensitive drum 2, and an exposure distribution according to the image signal is obtained. can get.

That is, by the irradiation and non-irradiation of the laser beam L, a light portion potential in which the surface potential drops and a dark portion potential in which the surface potential does not fall are formed. Then, an electrostatic latent image corresponding to the image information is formed by the contrast between the light portion potential and the dark portion potential.

[Developing means] Developing device 4 which is a developing means
Is a two-component contact developing device (two-component magnetic brush developing device)
As shown in FIG. 2, the developer composed of the carrier and the toner is held on the developing sleeve 4a which is the developer carrying member including the magnet roller 4b. A restriction blade 4c is provided on the developing sleeve 4a with a predetermined gap, and a thin layer of developer is formed on the developing sleeve 4a as the developing sleeve 4a rotates in the arrow direction.

The developing sleeve 4a, as shown in FIG.
A cylindrical spacer 4k having an outer diameter larger than that of the developing sleeve 4a is rotatably fitted to the reduced-diameter journal portions 4a1 on both sides thereof, and the spacer 4k is pressed against the photosensitive drum 2 to form a predetermined gap with the photosensitive drum 2. It is arranged so as to have it, and at the time of development, it is set so that the developer formed on the developing sleeve 4a can be developed in a state of being in contact with the photosensitive drum 2. In the developing section, the developing sleeve 4a is rotationally driven at a predetermined peripheral speed in a clockwise direction indicated by an arrow, which is a counter direction in the moving direction of the photosensitive drum peripheral surface with respect to the rotating direction of the photosensitive drum 2.

The toner used in the present embodiment is a negatively charged toner having an average particle size of 6 μm, and the magnetic carrier has a saturation magnetization of 205 emu / cm ^{3 and} an average particle size of 35.
A μm magnetic carrier was used. A mixture of toner and carrier in a weight ratio of 6:94 is used as a developer.

A developer storage portion 4h in which the developer is circulated.
Is divided into two by a longitudinal partition 4d except for both ends. The stirring screws 4eA and 4eB are arranged so as to sandwich the partition wall 4d.

As shown in FIG. 4, the toner replenished from the toner replenishing container 5 falls to the inner side of the stirring screw 4eB of the developer accommodating portion 4h and is agitated while being sent to the front side in the longitudinal direction. Through the part without the partition 4d. Then, it is further sent to the inner side in the longitudinal direction by the agitating screw 4eA, passes through the part without the partition wall 4d on the inner side, is agitated while being sent by the agitating screw 4eB, and repeats circulation.

The developing process for developing the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 by the two-component magnetic brush method using the developing device 4 and the developer circulation system will be described below.

With the rotation of the developing sleeve 4a, the developer in the developer accommodating portion is pumped up and conveyed to the surface of the developing sleeve 4a by the scooping pole of the magnet roller 4b.

In the course of the transportation, the layer thickness of the developer is regulated by the regulating blade 4c arranged perpendicularly to the developing sleeve 4a, so that the thin layer developer is formed on the developing sleeve 4a. When the thin layer developer is conveyed to the developing pole corresponding to the developing section c, the magnetic force causes the formation of ears. The electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 2 is developed as a toner image by the toner in the developer formed in the spike shape. In this example, the electrostatic latent image is reversely developed.

The thin layer developer on the developing sleeve 4a which has passed through the developing portion c continues to enter the developer accommodating portion as the developing sleeve 4a rotates, and is separated from the developing sleeve 4a by the repulsive magnetic field of the carrier pole to develop the developer. It is returned to the developer pool in the storage.

Direct current (DC) voltage and alternating current (AC) voltage are applied to the developing sleeve 4a from a power source (not shown). In the present embodiment, a DC voltage of −500 V and an AC voltage of a peak-to-peak voltage of 1500 V at a frequency of 2000 Hz are applied, and only the exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 2 is selectively developed.

Generally, in the two-component developing method, when an AC voltage is applied, the developing efficiency is increased and the image is of high quality, but conversely there is a risk that fogging is likely to occur. Therefore, normally, by providing a potential difference between the DC voltage applied to the developing sleeve 4a and the surface potential of the photosensitive drum 2,
Achieved to prevent fogging. More specifically, a bias voltage having a potential between the potential of the exposed portion and the potential of the non-exposed portion of the photosensitive drum 2 is applied.

When the toner is consumed by the development, the toner density in the developer decreases. In the present embodiment, the sensor 4g for detecting the toner concentration is arranged at a position close to the outer peripheral surface of the stirring screw 4eB. When the sensor 4g detects that the toner concentration in the developer has dropped below a predetermined concentration level, the toner replenishing container 5 causes the developing device 4 to
A command to supply toner inside is issued. By this toner supply operation, the toner concentration of the developer is always maintained and controlled at a predetermined level.

[Toner Supply Container] Toner supply container 5Y,
5M, 5C and 5K are process cartridges 1Y and 1
They are arranged in parallel above M, 1C and 1K, and are mounted from the front of the apparatus main body 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, a stirring plate 5b fixed to a stirring shaft 5c and a screw 5 inside the toner supply container 5.
a is disposed, and a discharge opening 5f for discharging toner is formed on the bottom surface of the container. Screw 5a and stirring shaft 5c
As shown in FIG. 5, both ends thereof are rotatably supported by bearings 5d, and the drive coupling (concave) 5 is provided at one of the outermost ends.
e is arranged. The drive coupling (concave) 5e receives a drive transmission from the drive coupling (convex) 62b of the apparatus main body 100 and is rotationally driven. The external shape of the screw 5a has a spiral rib shape, and the twisting direction of the spiral is reversed around the discharge opening 5f. The screw is rotated in a predetermined rotation direction by the rotation of the drive coupling (convex) 62b. Then, the toner is conveyed toward the discharge opening 5f, the toner is allowed to fall freely through the opening of the discharge opening 5f, and the toner is supplied to the process cartridge 1. The tip of the stirring plate 5b in the radial direction of rotation is inclined, and when it comes into sliding contact with the wall surface of the toner supply container 5, the tip is abutted at an angle. Specifically, the tip side of the stirring plate 5b is twisted into a spiral state. In this way, the tip end side of the stirring plate 5b is twisted and inclined to generate a conveying force in the axial direction, and the toner is sent in the longitudinal direction.

The toner supply container of the present embodiment is
Not only the two-component developing method but also the process cartridge or the developing cartridge using the one-component developing method can be replenished, and the powder contained in the toner replenishing container is
It goes without saying that not only the toner but also a so-called developer in which the toner and the magnetic carrier are mixed may be used.

[Transfer Unit] The intermediate transfer unit 54, which is a transfer unit, collectively transfers a plurality of toner images, which are sequentially primary-transferred from the photosensitive drum 2 and superposed, onto the recording medium 52.
It is the next transcription.

The intermediate transfer unit 54 is provided with an intermediate transfer belt 54a which runs in the direction of the arrow, and runs in the clockwise direction of the arrow at a peripheral speed substantially the same as the peripheral speed of the photosensitive drum 2. This intermediate transfer belt 54a has a circumference of about 940 mm.
Is an endless belt and is wound around by three rollers of a driving roller 54b, a secondary transfer opposing roller 54g, and a driven roller 54c.

Further, in the intermediate transfer belt 54a, transfer charging rollers 54fY, 54fM, 54fC and 54fK are provided.
Are rotatably arranged at positions facing the photosensitive drum 2, and are pressed toward the center of the photosensitive drum 2.

Transfer charging rollers 54fY, 54fM, 54
fC and 54fK are supplied with power from a high-voltage power supply (not shown), and are charged with a polarity opposite to that of the toner from the back side of the intermediate transfer belt 54a, and the toner images on the photosensitive drum 2 are sequentially primary-transferred onto the upper surface of the intermediate transfer belt 54a.

In the secondary transfer portion, a secondary transfer roller 54d as a transfer member is pressed against the intermediate transfer belt 54a at a position opposed to the secondary transfer counter roller 54g. The secondary transfer roller 54d can swing up and down in the drawing and can rotate. At this time, a bias is simultaneously applied to the intermediate transfer belt 54a, so that the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 54a is transferred to the recording medium 52.

Here, the intermediate transfer belt 54a and the secondary transfer roller 54d are driven. When the recording medium 52 enters the secondary transfer portion, a predetermined bias is applied to the secondary transfer roller 54d, and the toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 54a is secondarily transferred to the recording medium 52.

At this time, the recording medium 5 sandwiched between the two.
At the same time as the transfer step is performed, the sheet No. 2 is conveyed leftward in the drawing at a predetermined speed toward the fixing device 56 which is the next step.

At a predetermined position of the intermediate transfer belt 54a, which is the most downstream side of the transfer process, a cleaning unit 55 which can be brought into contact with and separated from the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 54a is provided.
The transfer residual toner remaining after the next transfer is removed.

In the cleaning unit 55, a cleaning blade 55a for removing the transfer residual toner is arranged. The cleaning unit 55 is mounted so as to be swingable around a rotation center (not shown), and the cleaning blade 55a is in pressure contact with the intermediate transfer belt 54a in the direction of biting. The transfer residual toner taken into the cleaning unit 55 is conveyed to and stored in a removed toner tank (not shown) by the feed screw 55b.

Here, as the intermediate transfer belt 54a, one made of a polyimide resin can be used. Other materials are not limited to polyimide resins, but include polycarbonate resins, polyethylene terephthalate resins, polyvinylidene fluoride resins, polyethylene naphthalate resins, polyether ether ketone resins, polyether sulfone resins, polyurethane resins, and other plastics. Alternatively, fluorine-based or silicon-based rubber can be preferably used.

[Fixing Section] The toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 by the developing means is transferred onto the recording medium 52 via the intermediate transfer belt 54a. And the fixing device 5
6 fixes the toner image transferred onto the recording medium 52 to the recording medium 52 using heat.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fixing device 56 includes a fixing roller 56a for applying heat to the recording medium 52 and a pressure roller 56b for bringing the recording medium 52 into pressure contact with the fixing roller 56a. The roller is a hollow roller. Each has a heater (not shown) inside. Then, the recording medium 52 is simultaneously conveyed by being rotationally driven.

That is, the recording medium 52 holding the toner image is conveyed by the fixing roller 56a and the pressure roller 56b, and the toner image is fixed on the recording medium 52 by applying heat and pressure. The recording medium 52 after fixing is
The apparatus main body 1 is discharged by the discharge rollers 53h and 53j.
00 is loaded on the tray 57.

[Mounting of Process Cartridge and Toner Replenishing Container] Next, the procedure for mounting the process cartridge and toner replenishing container will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5. A front door 58 that can be opened and closed is arranged on the front surface of the apparatus main body 100. When the front door 58 is opened to the front, an opening for inserting the process cartridge 1 and the toner supply container 5 is exposed.

A rotatably supported centering plate 59 is arranged in the opening into which the process cartridge 1 is inserted, and the process cartridge is inserted and removed after the centering plate 59 is opened.

A guide rail 60 for guiding the mounting of the process cartridge 1 and a guide rail 61 for guiding the mounting of the toner supply container 5 are fixed in the apparatus main body 100. On the other hand, the process cartridge 1 is provided with a guide portion 1m guided by the guide rail 60. Further, the toner supply container 5 is provided with a guide portion 5g1 guided by the guide rail 61.

The mounting direction of the process cartridge 1 and the toner supply container 5 is parallel to the axial direction of the photosensitive drum 2, and the guide rails 60 and 61 are also arranged in the same direction. The process cartridge 1 and the toner supply container 5 are once slid and inserted from the front side to the back side in the apparatus main body 100 along the guide rails 60 and 61.

Process cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C,
When 1K is inserted to the innermost part of the mounting portion of the device body 100, the device body 100 is inserted into the center hole 2f of the drum flange 2b.
The centering shaft 66 is inserted, and the rotation center position on the back side of the photosensitive drum 2 is determined with respect to the apparatus main body 100. At the same time, the drive transmission portion 2g formed on the drum flange 2b and the drive coupling (concave) 62a are connected to each other, so that the photosensitive drum 2 can be rotationally driven. The drive transmission portion 2g used in the present invention has a twisted triangular prism shape, and the drive coupling 62a is a triangular prism hole. The drive transmission portion 2g is loosely fitted to the drive coupling 62a. Drive force is transmitted from the drive coupling 62a to the drive transmission portion 2g by applying a drive force from the apparatus main body 100, and a force for pulling the photosensitive drum 2 inward is generated.

Further, the rear side plate 65 is provided with support pins 63 for positioning the process cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K. The support pins 63 are provided on the frame 1a of the process cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K. The process cartridge 1 is inserted into the positioning hole 1a2.
The positions of the Y, 1M, 1C and 1K frames 1a are fixed.

A rotatable centering plate 59 is arranged on the front side of the apparatus main body 100, and the bearing cases 2c of the process cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K are supported and fixed to the centering plate 59. To be done. By these series of insertion operations, the photosensitive drum 2 and the process cartridges 1Y, 1
M, 1C and 1K are positioned with respect to the apparatus main body 100.

On the other hand, when the toner replenishing container 5 is inserted to the innermost part, it is positioned and fixed with respect to the support pin 64 protruding from the rear side plate 65. At the same time, the drive coupling (concave) 5e and the drive coupling (convex) 62b are connected, and the screw 5a and the stirring shaft 5c can be rotationally driven.

[Embodiment 1] Next, Embodiment 1 of the charging means of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of the charging means adopting the cleanerless system according to the present invention, FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of the charging means according to the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the charging means according to the present invention. FIG. 9 is a front view and FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the brush unit of the charging means according to the present invention.

(Structure of Brush Unit of Charging Means) As shown in FIG. 7, the brush unit 3j, which is a process means in which the transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g and the toner charge amount controlling means 3h are unitized, makes the transfer residual toner uniform. The means 3g is fixedly supported on the brush base 11a, and the brush base 11a is heat-tightened to the base frame 12 made of sheet metal, fixed with a small screw, double-sided tape or the like, and similarly the toner charge amount control means 3h is fixed to the brush base. 11b fixedly supported, brush base 1
It is a unit configured by fixing 1b to the base frame 12. As shown in FIG. 8, shafts 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d extend in the longitudinal direction at both ends of the base frame 12, and a transmission arm member 14 is attached to the shafts 13a, 13b on one side (driving side). There is. As shown in FIG. 7, the transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g and the toner charge amount controlling means 3h are arranged at an angle so as to be oriented toward the center of the photosensitive drum 2. As described above, the brush unit 3j includes the transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g.
With the toner charge amount control means 3h and the toner charge amount control means 3h attached to the base frame 12 respectively, the transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g and the toner charge amount control means 3h have their tip bristles contact the surface of the photosensitive drum 2, respectively. It is a unit used to touch. The brush bristles of the transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g and the toner charging control means 3h have such a length as to penetrate into the photosensitive drum 2, and when the photosensitive drum 2 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. It is inclined to follow the movement of the plane.

A toner collecting sheet 25 is provided below the brush unit 3j. One end of the toner collecting sheet 25 is fixedly attached to the brush base 11a of the brush unit 3j, and the other end, which is a free end, comes into contact with the photosensitive drum 2 to generate a large amount of transfer residual toner (untransferred toner). Transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g and toner charge amount control means 3h
While being held by the photosensitive drum 2, the transfer residual toner which cannot be passed and is accumulated on the transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g and the toner charge amount control means 3h and falls is collected. The direction of the tip of the toner collecting sheet 25 is the direction following the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

Position e of the tip of the toner collecting sheet 25
Then, the photosensitive drum 2 rotates counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 7, and the position f of the transfer residual toner uniformizing means 3g with which the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2 first contacts is separated. Since the positions e and f are located on the lower right quadrant of the photosensitive drum 2 in FIG. 7 in rectangular coordinates, the position e is separated from the position f in the horizontal direction (x direction). Therefore, the transfer residual toner falling from the photosensitive drum 2 at the position f is reliably taken into the collecting space 25a surrounded by the toner collecting sheet 25. This collection space 2
5a is a kind of container.

As described above, if the horizontal distance between the positions e and f is sufficient, a gap may be provided between the tip of the toner collecting sheet 25 and the photosensitive drum 2. However, the brush bristles of the toner uniformizing means 3g and the toner charging control means 3h are upright in the disassembled brush unit 3j. Therefore, it is difficult to confirm in which direction the bristle bristles in the lateral direction during assembly. Therefore, if the positions e and f are brought close to or coincide with each other, there is no possibility that the brush bristles of the transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g will be incorporated as a counter in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2 during assembly.

The toner collecting sheet 25 does not damage the photosensitive drum 2 even if it comes into contact with or slides on the photosensitive drum 2. It is made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or urethane flexible sheet member. ing. The sheet has a thickness of 0.025 to 0.3 mm, and is brought into contact with the photosensitive drum 2 with a light load.

The width of the toner collecting sheet 25 in the longitudinal direction is
It is longer than the area where the transfer residual toner may fall, that is, the transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g and the toner charge amount control means 3h, so that the transfer residual toner can be reliably collected in the entire longitudinal direction.

(Drive Structure of Brush Unit) As shown in FIG. 8, the charging means 3 has a coupling gear 15 and a reciprocating cam 16 as drive transmitting means on one end side in the longitudinal direction, and the coupling gear 15 and the reciprocating cam 16 are connected to each other. It is rotatably fitted and supported by the frame 3k of the charging means 3.
The reciprocating cam 16 is the gear portion 15 of the coupling gear 15.
It is composed of a cam gear 16a and a cam 16b that mesh with a, and a cam groove 16c is formed by the cam gear 16a and the cam 16b, and they are connected and rotate together. The protrusion 1 of the transmission arm member 14 of the brush unit 3j is provided in the cam groove 16c.
4a is fitted. When the process cartridges 1Y, 1M, 1C and 1K are mounted on the image forming apparatus main body 100,
The coupling of the apparatus main body 100 (not shown) is fitted to the coupling gear 15, the rotational driving force is transmitted, and the reciprocating cam 16 meshing with the coupling gear 15 rotates.

When the reciprocating cam 16 rotates, the cam groove 1
The transmission arm member protruding portion 14a of the brush unit 3j fitted in 6c is slid along the cam groove 16c, the protruding portion 14a is moved in the longitudinal direction, and the shafts 13a, 13b to which the transmission arm member 14 is fixed are fixed. 13c, 13d and the brush unit 3j reciprocate. At this time, axis 1
3a, 13b, 13c and 13d are supported by the spacer 17 and slide with the spacer 17. Spacer 17
Is engaged with a guide rail 3m provided on the frame 3k and is guided so as to be able to advance and retreat toward the center of the photosensitive drum 2 and not to move in the longitudinal direction. And frame 3
A compression coil spring 18 is contracted between k and the spacer 17, and the brush unit 3j is pressed against the photosensitive drum 2 by the spring force of the spring 18. In this embodiment, the reciprocating motion is performed in a constant cycle within a range of about 0.5 to 2.5 seconds with a stroke of 5 mm.

When a large amount of transfer residual toner is generated as described above, the transfer residual toner on the photosensitive drum 2 is dropped by the reciprocating transfer residual toner equalizing means 3g and toner charge amount control means 3h. The toner collecting sheet 25 reciprocates integrally, and the toner collecting sheet 25 always follows the lower portion of the area where the transfer residual toner may drop. This prevents the transfer residual toner from falling into the main body of the image forming apparatus.

(Second Embodiment) FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment. In the first embodiment, mainly on the upstream side of the charging means 3 having the charging roller 3a in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2, and on the downstream side of the facing portion of the intermediate transfer unit 54, which is the transfer means, and the photosensitive drum 2. The photosensitive drum 2 is positioned more than the position of the transfer residual toner image uniformizing means 3g for uniformizing the residual toner image remaining on the photosensitive drum 2 after the transfer process.
An example in which the toner collecting sheet 25 for collecting the transfer residual toner falling from the photosensitive drum 2 is provided on the upstream side in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the above is described.

In the second embodiment, residual toner remaining on the photosensitive drum after the transfer process is located upstream of the charging unit 3 in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2 and downstream of the transfer unit. Immediately upstream of the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2 of the toner charge amount control means 3h for charging to a predetermined polarity, on the downstream side of the transfer means for transferring the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 2 to the transfer material. Transfer residual toner collection sheet 2
6 was installed. The base side of the sheet 26 is the brush base 11
It is fixed to b and the tip is in contact with the photosensitive drum 2. When viewed in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2, the position h at which the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2 enters the toner charge amount control means 3h and the leading end position g of the residual toner collecting sheet 26 in contact with the photosensitive drum 2. Away from. As a result, the residual toner that falls apart from the photosensitive drum 2 near the position h is guided to the base side of the toner collecting sheet 26.

The relationship in the longitudinal direction of the toner collecting sheet 26 is the same as that of the toner collecting sheet 25, and the transfer residual toner falling from the photosensitive drum 2 can be collected. The toner collecting sheet 26 also has a position g,
By appropriately selecting h, it is possible to prevent the bending direction of the brush bristles of the toner charging control means 3h from being counter to the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the photosensitive drum 2.

[0111]

As described above, the process means supported on the electrophotographic photosensitive member of the present invention and movably supported in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and the electrophotographic photosensitive member positioned below the process means. A flexible member (toner collecting sheet) that collects the residual developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member from falling from the electrophotographic photosensitive member is in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the longitudinal direction integrally with the process means. The moving cleaner-less process cartridge and image forming apparatus have the following effects. (1) Since the reciprocating motion is integrally performed with the process means for scraping off the residual developer, the falling developer can be reliably collected,
It is possible to prevent the toner from falling into the main body of the image forming apparatus. (2) Since the reciprocating motion is integrally performed with the process means, the width of the toner collecting sheet in the longitudinal direction can be narrowed to a necessary minimum (width of the process means), and the cost of the toner collecting sheet is reduced. (3) Since the toner collecting sheet is made of PET or urethane and has a thickness of 0.025 to 0.3 mm, the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member may be damaged even if it is reciprocated while being in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member. There is no.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an image forming apparatus main body according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a process cartridge and a toner supply container according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of the image forming apparatus main body according to the embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the process cartridge according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view of the toner supply container according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a charging unit that employs the cleanerless system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a charging unit according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the charging unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic top view of the brush unit of the charging means according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a charging unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1Y, 1M, 1C, 1K: Process cartridge 1
a: frame 1a2 ... Positioning 1m: guide part 2: photosensitive drum 2a: drum shaft 2b: drum flange 2c: bearing case 2d: non-driving flange 2e: bearing 3: charging means 3a: charging roller 3b: core metal 3c:
Charging roller cleaning member 3d: Push spring 3e:
Cleaning film 3f: Support member 3g: Transfer residual toner equalizing means 3h: Toner charge control means 3j:
Brush unit 3k: Frame 3m: Guide rail 4: Developing device 4a: Developing sleeve 4a1: Journal part 4b: Magnet roller 4c: Regulation blade
4d: partition walls 4eA, 4eB: stirring screw 4g: sensor 4h: developer storage 4k: spacer 5: toner supply container 5Y, 5M, 5C, 5K: toner supply container 5a: screw 5b: stirring plate 5c: stirring shaft 5d: Bearing 5e: Drive coupling (concave) 5
f: discharge opening 5g 1: guide 11a, 11b: brush base 12: base frames 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d: shaft, 14: transmission arm member 14a: protrusion 15: coupling gear 15a: gear 16: reciprocating cam 16a: cam gear 16b: cam 16c: cam groove 17: spacer 18: compression coil spring 25: toner collecting sheet 25a: collecting space 26: second collecting sheets 51Y, 51M, 51C, 51K: exposing means 51a:
Polygon mirror 51b: Imaging lens 51c: Reflection mirror 52: Recording medium 53a: Feed cassette 53b: Feed roller 53c:
Retard roller 53d: Feeding guide: Conveying roller 5
3g: registration roller 53h, 53j: discharge roller 54: intermediate transfer unit 54a: intermediate transfer belt 5
4b: drive roller 54c: driven roller 54d: secondary transfer roller 54f
Y, 54fM, 54fC, 54fK: Transfer charging roller
54g: Secondary transfer opposing roller 55: Transfer cleaning unit 55a: Cleaning blade 55b: Feed screw 56: Fixing device, 56a: Fixing roller 56b: Pressure roller 57: Tray 58: Front door 59: Centering plates 60, 61: Guide rails 62a, 62b: Drive couplings 63, 64: Support pin 65: Rear plate 100: Device body a: Charging part, b: Exposure part, c: Developing part, d: Transfer part e, f: Position g: Tip L ... Laser light

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Kenji Matsuda             3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo             Non non corporation F-term (reference) 2H071 BA05 BA13 BA29 BA35 DA06                       DA08 DA15 EA10                 2H077 AA37 AD06 DB12 GA04                 2H134 GA01 GB02 HF13 JA05 JA08                       KF05 KF07 KG01 KH07 MA02                       MA11 MA19                 2H200 FA08 GA12 GA23 GA34 GA47                       GB25 GB32 HA02 HB07 HB12                       JA02 JC04 JC12 LA02 LA12                       LA17 LA22 LA38 LB08 LB14

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A process means that acts on an electrophotographic photosensitive member and is supported so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, wherein the electrophotographic photosensitive member is near the position where the process means acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A flexible member for collecting the residual developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member from being dropped from the electrophotographic photosensitive member is fixedly supported at one end side to the lower portion of the process means and moves in the longitudinal direction integrally with the process means. Process means characterized by the following. 2. The process means according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member is longer than the process means in the longitudinal direction so as to be able to collect the remaining residual developer. 3. One end of the flexible member is in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and polyethylene terephthalate (P
ET) or urethane sheet-like member with a thickness of 0.
Process means according to claim 1, characterized in that it is between 025 and 0.3 mm. 4. The process means includes a charging means for charging the surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an upstream side of the charging means in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive body and at the electrophotographic photosensitive body. Located downstream of the transfer means for transferring the formed developer image to the transfer material,
A developer charge amount control means for charging the residual developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after the transfer step to a predetermined polarity, and a peripheral portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member rather than a charging means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Residual development that is located upstream of the surface moving direction and downstream of the transfer means that transfers the developer image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the transfer material, and remains on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after the transfer step. 2. The process means according to claim 1, wherein the process means is at least one of the residual developer image uniformizing means for uniformizing the developer image. 5. A process cartridge attachable to and detachable from a main body of an image forming apparatus, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member, and a process means that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and is movably supported in a longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A flexible member that is located below the process unit and near the position where the process unit acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to collect residual developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member from falling from the electrophotographic photosensitive member. A flexible member, one end side of which is fixedly supported with respect to the process means, and the flexible member moves integrally with the process means in the longitudinal direction. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the flexible member is longer than the process means in the longitudinal direction so as to be able to collect the residual developer that drops. 7. One end of the flexible member is in contact with the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and polyethylene terephthalate (P
ET) or urethane sheet-like member with a thickness of 0.
The process cartridge according to claim 5, having a size of 025 to 0.3 mm. 8. The process means is a charging means for charging the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and is formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive body upstream of the charging means in the moving direction of the peripheral surface of the electrophotographic photosensitive body. Located downstream of the transfer means for transferring the developed developer image to the transfer material,
A developer charge amount control means for charging the residual developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after the transfer step to a predetermined polarity, and a peripheral portion of the electrophotographic photosensitive member rather than a charging means acting on the electrophotographic photosensitive member. Residual development which is located upstream of the surface moving direction and downstream of the transfer means for transferring the developer image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to the transfer material, and which remains on the electrophotographic photosensitive member after the transfer step. 6. The process cartridge according to claim 5, wherein the process cartridge is at least one of residual developer image uniformizing means for uniformizing the developer image. 9. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus in which a process cartridge is detachably mountable and which forms an image on a recording medium, comprising: a. An electrophotographic photosensitive member, a process means that acts on the electrophotographic photosensitive member and is supported so as to be movable in the longitudinal direction of the electrophotographic photosensitive member, and an electrophotographic photosensitive member of the process means that is located below the process means. A flexible member that collects the residual developer remaining on the electrophotographic photosensitive member in the vicinity of the operating position from falling from the electrophotographic photosensitive member,
One end of the flexible member is fixedly supported with respect to the processing means, and the mounting means detachably mounts the processing means and the process cartridge that moves in the longitudinal direction, b. Drive means for driving the process cartridge; c. A transfer means for transferring the developer image formed on the electrophotographic photosensitive member to a recording medium; d. An electrophotographic image forming apparatus, comprising: a conveying unit configured to convey the recording medium.